Mechanism for producing mechanical movement



June 19, 1945. .c. AMBRUSTER MECHANISM FOR PRODUCING MECHANICAL MOVEMENTFiled March 7, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 wh m ND RS June 19, 1945. qAMBRusTER 2,378,676

MECHANISM FQR,PRODUCING MECHANICAL MOVEMENT Filed March '7, 1941 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 19, 1945 MEoiiANisM ftinino V 's florielinsilimbruste gzltoslynira.

" infliction-Mm]; 7, ls41j'sr ig 'nqf asznsz I t 'ihis-l-inventionreletes to e-mechanism produ z me an a -tm wmem Ia p t c- 1. inus. (012-74 4 9 1 ,ularly. to a;.mechdnism -ion-eactuetingflinembers with-.wsnepactionrand has ior its primary object 'therprovision of: azmechenism;wliich..-is durgble, tmn eposi i e ac n nd nab ee er e fre vlm-af nepe d Manse-g t. I 7 While not limited thereto, my=impnovedchanism is, pa1 t-icularly suitable foizactu ating: the cont ct l men oc ica t h s r" BQ t breakers, It; is well known to provide such switches*witI-t,sprimgsinorder to -achieve rapid motion of the Switchbladeidnringeither opening or closing of the switch; accordance withmyinventiommeans axe-provided for controllingthe action Qfg the switchblade and: its-- ---a,ct 1ating spring, apdrfor .;relaxing the springaftenihhes performed :its -f unction so as; toremoye all :stresses fromboth .theiaspring, and lthe remainder-.bithe mechanismrwhile-the-switch.-;bla.de isin a static position. 7 included in my improved;mechanism are;.simp1ified: means to: locking the switch in positionaftereach-movement;thereof; V

It is a, specific object of this inventiontomrowide .1 an improved:spring flact-uatedf: mechanism having La. c-sequencexof;aoperati-or-ncontmi-led by a.

' cm, the sequence heingasuchsthat afteryactuation of the mechanism bythe spring, the .spi'ingvsis completely-relaxed untilsi t.isicalledzxllponiztozi'eactuate the'mechanismr: Additional I objects andmaidvantageseoixmyl. inven'tion-i willy-appear:asfithe1-f0llowingzdescription proceeds and-the features of: novelty.wl'iichccharsacterizeany-invention willisbe :set? font'hsiimfithe tclaims 'z aJppemledt'o' a'nd forming art1 or this Figure 2vis,'a;:.pai1tially schematic-view showing:

tl'ieirelative" position of the "operative-- elements shown, in Figure'j1 the illustrationf "oft he cam hemp wholly schematic' and consistingofonly the locus lot i; the l-camfgroove, the position showncorresponding, to the, switch" open :and spring ta'ut'; f c c, FigureJis. a; View similar. to- "Figure" '2 in thethird'positiohiofhtheicamropeiatoit corresponding to; the switch iclbsedand 1 spring vvt'aiit' e 4 isia' i'iew simila1t toiFi'gure'HZcinZthefourth Fpositiomofjthmcam operator correspond; ins-do the' switchgclosed and the spring relaxed; .7 Figuife 5 at new similar to Figure 12 inIthe showing (two .schemnticelllyrillustih tedJcam atrtheininimiim ma,

switch laxed; v

. Figure- B's-is a new of a v1 modified embodiment ,of fmj'iriirention,Ithe. modification relating. particularly-to the cam operator. which isillustrated groo wa sonly; Y Y. c

Figune 1 :18;- a new 0f a second irnodiiicatidn aitorsf for a ctuatingmi doublepole. switch. in, seqnence, .pne, portion ioff thednuiclel'phlefvv switch {being shown- 1in 11 111, lines and Lethe otherheing schematic l y by showing ithe' "longs; of Lthe (Figure-' 8 isiav Iment fdfimywinvntiont ithcvthel-caizfischefmatially and;closi ng'movements "in 'f'ccordancewithlmy invention; vai'ious-fpositionsnfitheloperatiye {ele v ments'bingxshownin fulllanddottedllinesg.

l Fig iire 9lis aitblefisliowingth'i elatiiriexten sion --of. th spring:element 4 .of I" the mechanism whenlingthe positions indicatedinEiguresl, 2;

and.5. t

Throughout the '.drawmesiiike;reference no meralshhave beeh iiseld'.for" like operative; elements; Refeiiiiiggtd F gur imne points [,3 13,Aianas ate" 'fi'xed' positidnali relation to: each other; the scannerslocateilbeingeattagched. .the framework F of the mechenism.l}. 11 Wishwitch bla deflpivotednandmovingebolittheidente T6 si xheqciip .foifithef switch and; when Tth biade 1 cbntatct'sit the switch isnIclosedluse? bell crank crahli s eta: andto' framework at '4." The Chan-1 nel 12in the cam iconsistsiof, 4csections l2 -a ism-radial .sectorg-ttheinextsectionflto theift,

12%;5, islan Larc oflminimum radius; nexttollofviks v a. spiral}lai;c, J2470; .thegiddius Qi-ncneasin to? V a, iwhichu i'adiusc v s;.tmenf amedthrough I2'-d to The. pivotedgteiitrs; and a arelocated near the line@of theateof maxi mum radi is. See fig elmliig illshow pin l3 at'theflmaxiiniim reams th-the xed-- hi 5 m V the o s? i wdawq l so of thecam, 5 being the other static position when the switch is closed and thespring I8 relaxed.

In all the figures except Fig. 1 the body of the cam is omitted for thesake of clearness, the channeljonly being indicated. The cam .I I isrotated clockwise as indicated by curved arrow. In Figures 4, 5, 6 and8, the pivot centers and the link attachment pins appear to be in thechannel of the cam. Actually as shown in Figure l the levers I5 and Ioverlie the frame by which the pivot centers are supported .and the camoverlies the levers; the rollers extending outwards and into theadjacent cam channel.

In Fig. 2 the cam has rotated sufl'lciently to move the pin I3 from themaximum radius to the minimum radius, putting the spring I8 undertension.

In Fig. 3 the cam has rotated further and allows pin I4 to enter theradial sector I2a. The spring I8 immediately closes the switch as thepin I4 snaps from the minimum to the maximum radius, the cam continuesto rotate and the'pin I4 enters the arc l2-d. As the pin I4 travels inthe channel the switch is always locked in position through theconnecting link I5. In Fig. 4'

the cam has rotated to allow pin l3 to enter radial sector l2a and thepin snaps from the minimum to maximum radius, relaxing the spring. Sincethe spring I8 is completely relaxed when bell crank 9 is in thisposition, the light auxiliary spring 2! is required to insure completemovement of l3 through I2--a to I2d. As rotation of cam continues, pinI3 enters I2-d and in Fig. 5 mechanism. reaches second static positionwith switch closed and locked and spring I8 relaxed. As cam next rotatesfrom position Fig. 5 to position Fig. 1 pin I4 travels the spiral arcswitch. Two cams are shown mounted on and revolved by the shaft I. Incam I I-a, shown dotted, the radial sector is ahead of correspondingsector in cam I I, consequently switch blade 1a closes first and blade 1follows, as cam II later releases pin I4 as shown. The springs can laterbe relaxed and the blades opened, simultaneously or in sequence, asdesired, by appropriately shap- I 2c raising the lever III which inturnopens the switch through the link I5.

Fig. 9 shows relative extension of spring I8 between points I9 and 20 inthe various positions shown. Note that in static positions, Figs. 1 and5, spring I8 is relaxed and in motive positions, 2 and 3, spring istaut.

It'is apparent several variations embodying the same general principlesare possible. For instance, the clip of the switch could be located at23, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. Then the spring would open theswitch and it would be closed by the positive action of the cam insteadof vice-versa. 0r, the channel I2e Fig. 6 could be shallower than thebalance of the channel in the cam and the deeper channel carried alongthe path I2-,f, then the pin I4 being no longer than the depth of theshallow. channel the switch connecting member ID would be released aspreviously described; but the pin I3 being longer would perforce followthe path I2--f to the maximum arc I2--d, the spring l8 would thus bepositively relaxed as the cam rotated and the auxiliary spring 2| (Fig.1), would be unnecessary.

If the cam were appropriately shaped and the other parts suitablyrearranged the motion of the pins I3 and I4 under the influence of thesprings could be towards the center of the cam instead of away from itas previously described, but the same results would be accomplished.

The spring I8 as shown is an extension spring. By shifting thespringconnection points is and 20 to the other side of the centers ofmotion 2 and 5, a compression spring could be used.

In the case of a multiple switch it might be desirable to close or openthe blades in sequence instead of simultaneously. Fig. 7 shows a twopole ing the cams.

Fig. 8 shows the mechanism arranged to both open and close the switch byspring action, the

springs being relaxed after they have functioned.

The bell crank 9 and the lever ID are both pivoted at 2. Through thespring I8 and the link I5 they-function as previously described to closethe switch as the pins I3 and I4 are positioned by the channel I2 in therotating cam. I'2 -g is an additional channel in the cam, spanning'thesame sector as I2c. I2c is shallower than the balance of the channel.Pin I3 is of such length that it can follow I2--c, but the pin I4 islonger and must follow |2--g. There is a lever 24 pivoted at 25 carryinga pin 26 of the same length as I3 so it also follows I2-c. A tensionspring 21 is attached to this lever at 2B and to the switch blade at l1.The light auxiliary spring 28 functions the same as spring 2 I. In Fig.8 the pin 26 has just traversed the spiral arc I2--c to the arc ofminimum radius I2b so the spring 21 is taut. When the pin I4 reaches theradial opening of the channel I2g the'pin l4 snaps through this channelas shown by the dotted lines as the spring 21 opens the switch. The camcontinues to rotate until the radial channel I2a arrives .at pin 26 andthe pin snaps through to the maximumradius, relaxing the spring 21.= Theswitch is now open with springs I8 and 21 both relaxed, the pin I4having meanwhile traversed the channel I2y.

It is apparent that this combination mechanism might be used for otherpurposes than for moving a switch blade where similar results aredesirable.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. A mechanism comprising a'pivoted member, a spring for effecting snapaction movement of .said member, and cam means for controlling themovement of said member under the influence of said spring, said cammeans including a spiral are surface terminating in a substantiallyright angled surface spanning the differences between the maximum andminimum radii of the said are for'stressing said spring prior toactuation of said member and for completely relaxing said spring afteractuation of said member so that said spring is stressedonly whenrequired to produce snap action movement of said member.

2. A mechanism comprising a pivoted memher, a spring having one endattached to one end of said pivoted member, a second pivoted memberconnected at one end to the opposite end of saidspring, a cam rotatableabout a center, cam surface on said cam having portions of'differingradii terminating in a substantially radial surface spanning thedifference between maximum and minimum radii of said portions, means onthe free'end of said first mentioned pivoted member engaging said camsurface, means on said second mentioned pivoted member engaging said camsurface, said last mentioned two means being positioned on said cam withreference to said radial surface so that as said camjrotates through acomplete revolution said spring is stressed by actuation of said secondpivoted member, said first pivoted member is released through engagementof said first mentioned means with saidradial surface and moved underthe influence of said Spring, and said second pivoted member is releasedthrough engagement of said second mentioned means with'said radialsurface and said spring is completely relaxed.

3. A mechanism comprising a pivoted member, movable between an upper andlower position, a pair of springs attached to said member, one of saidsprings acting to cause snap action movement of said member from itsupper to its lower position, the other of said springs causing snapaction'movement of said member. from its lower to its upper position, arotatable cam. for controlling the movement of said pivoted member underthe influence of said springs, a pair of radial surfaces on said cam andcam followers adapted to successively engage said surfaces and connectedto said springs to cause said springs to be relaxed immediatelyfollowing each actuation of the pivoted member upon rotation of saidcam.

4. A mechanism comprising a first pivoted member movable between a firstand second position, a second pivoted member spaced from said firstmember, a spring connected at its ends to said pivoted members, arotatable cam having a cam surface provided with a radial portion, a,pair of cam followers tracking on said cam surface, a linkage connectingone of said cam followers to said first mentioned pivoted member, meansconnecting the other of said cam followers to said second mentionedpivoted member, said cam followers being positioned relative to said camsurface so that upon rotation of said cam said follower connectedto'said linkage first enters said radial portion of said cam surface tocause said first pivoted member to be moved from said first position tosaid second position under the influence of said spring, and uponfurther movement of said cam said follower connected to second pivotedmember enters said radial portion to cause relaxing of said spring.

5. A mechanism comprising a pivoted member, a rotatable cam, a linkageconnected to said pivoted member on one side of its pivot point andhaving a cam follower engagingsaid cam to control themovement of saidpivoted member be tween an upper and lower position in accordance withthe rotation of said cam, a spring connected to said pivoted member onthe opposite side of its pivot'point so as to move said member in onedirection with a snap action, a pivoted lever connected to the oppositeend of said spring and hav ing a cam follower engaging said cam tocontrol the stressing and relaxing of said spring in accordance with therotation of said cam, saidcam having a surface on which said 'camfollowers track such that as said cam revolves through a, completerevolution said spring is stressed, said pivoted member is moved to oneposition with a snap action under the influence of said spring,

' said spring is relaxed, and said pivoted member is trol the movementof said member between said two positions upon the actuation of saidcam, a spring connected at one end of said pivoted member to effect snapaction movement thereof in the circuit closing direction, a pivotedlever having one end connected to the opposite end of said spring, a pinat the opposite end of said lever tracking in said groove ahead of saidfirst mentioned pin in the direction of movement of said cam, wherebyupon one complete revolution of said cam said pins track in saidportions of said groove so as to successively cause said pivoted memberto be locked in one position with said spring relaxed, said spring to bestressed, said pivoted member to be moved to its opposite position witha snap action under the influence of the energy stored in said spring,said member to be locked in said last mentioned position, said spring to.be relaxed, and said member to be moved from its opposite position toits first position and locked in said position.

7. 'A mechanism comprising a pivoted member adapted to close anelectrical circuit, a spring attached to said pivoted member to effectrapid movement thereof in a circuit closing direction, a cam having acam surface consisting of portions of constant and varying radii insuccessive arcs and a radial portion, a pair of cam followers trackingonsaid cam surface, means for connecting one of said cam followers tosaid pivoted member to cause movement thereof in ac.- cordance with therotation of said cam, pivoted means connecting the other of said camfollowers to the free end of said spring so as to cause stressing andrelaxing of said spring in accordance with movement of said cam, saidcam followers tracking on said cam surface so that they successivelyentersaid radial portion of said cam surface, said cam followerconnected to said pivoted member first entering into said radial portionto cause said pivoted member to move to its circuit closing positionquickly under the in-' fluence of said spring, and said other camfollower subsequently entering said radial portionto cause said springto vbe relaxed whereby all stresses are removed from said mechanismafter actuation of said pivoted member to said circuit closing position.

8. A mechanism comprising a cam arranged to rotate about a centersurfaced by a spiral are about said center terminating in asubstantially right angled surface spanning the difference between themaximum'and minimum radii of the said arc, a pivoted member having anattached spring, one end of said pivoted member engaging said cam as itis rotated, said end engaging the spiral surface to tighten said springandthe right angled surface to relax said spring, a second pivotedmember attached to the other end of said spring, means-on saidsecondpivoted memberengaging said cam to control the movement 1 of said secondpivoted member, whereby, as said cam is rotated; said end of said firstpivoted member is engaged by said spiral cam surface to tighten saidspring; said controlling means on said second pivoted member is engagedby said right angled cam surface to release said second pivoted memberfor movement under the influence of said tightened spring; and said endof said first pivoted member is engaged by said right angled cam surfaceto restore said first pivoted member to its initial position relaxingsaid spring.

CORNELIUS AMBRUS'IER.

